Policeman claims trial to robbing supermarket with firearm

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MIRI: A policeman claimed trial in the Sessions Court here yesterday to a charge of robbing a supermarket here of almost half a million ringgit with a firearm.

Juan Joseph, 37, from Farm Villa 5, Jalan Taman Tunku faces a charge under Section 4 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalty) 1971 for exhibiting a firearm in the commission of a robbery.

The Section provides for life imprisonment and not less than six strokes of the rotan.

Juan is accused of robbing the supermarket of RM479,619.30 while armed with a shotgun, and instilling fear in Mahadi Asba, 40, and Tunku Laut, 56 around noon on May 5, 2015 at Pelita Commercial Centre. After he pleaded not guilty, prosecuting officer ASP Koay Kok Ping requested the court not to offer bail.

However, defence counsel Ranbir Singh argued that Juan is a policeman who has not failed to report himself to his assigned police officer as ordered since he was freed on police bail in 2015.

Judge Steve Ritikos set case management for Sept 25, and the trial for Feb 11-15, 2019. He released Juan on RM25,000 bail with two local sureties.